The influx of a wide variety of species into the U.S. market transformed the hardwood business. However, that early rapid climb was followed by a deep drop in sales.

Ed Korczak, former National Wood Flooring Association director/CEO, said that two of the biggest changes in the wood industry during the last decade were factory finishes and the emergence of exotic species in the marketplace. "Even in the 90s, oak was all the consumer saw,bCrLf he recalled.

"The (Brazilian) exotic hardwood category really saw its greatest expansion during the early 2000s,bCrLf explained Doug Leigh, vice president, USA division, Triangulo. "It was a time that had such products as 3/4 inch Brazilian cherry selling for less per square foot than domestic oak products of the same profile. The growth can be attributed to the style as much as the price. The market was ready for the evolution of the category just as it has been with the handscraped trend.bCrLf

Keith Barrette, COO at BR-111, said, however, that species such as Brazilian cherry and Santos Mahogany began as more expensive product than traditional oak flooring. "The category stayed this way for many years keeping the exotics market as more of a niche category, in that it was mostly chosen for high-end application. As time passed, we were able to innovate and offer some more affordable choices like the thinner solids 5/16 inch and 7/16 inch products and this really opened up the category. The next big step was the engineered exotics. This allowed for just about any budget to afford a durable and beautiful exotic floor.bCrLf

Jason Strong, vice president of marketing and sales, IndusParquet, said that the consumer simply fell in love with exotics. "Exotic hardwood hit the market in a meaningful way in 2002 at a time when consumers were looking for a unique alternative to domestic hardwood flooring. Exotics provided not only the beauty that consumers were looking for, but also the performance.bCrLf
George Celtrick, sales director Cikel America, noted that until 2006, exotics grew from virtual insignificance to around 20 percent to 25 percent of total hardwood sales. After that, sales dropped almost by half.

Celtrick blames the weak U.S. dollar, the increased supply and aggressive pricing from Far East producers and the Lacey Act which made buyers wary.

"Enforcement of the Lacey Act squeezed out competitors that could not prove that their products came from well managed forests,bCrLf said IndusParquet's Strong.

Triangulo's Leigh added that it was the strength of the U.S. dollar combined with the rising cost of raw materials in Brazil as well as the value of the Brazilian Real that lowered demand.

Today, exotic woods still control a piece of the market. According to Celtrick, the dominant species from South America today is Brazilian cherry and then, he said, "What we refer to as the big five' — Brazilian cherry, tigerwood, ipe, cumaru and Santos Mahogany make up the largest percentage of sales. Amendoim is popular but also limited in supply.bCrLf

BR-111's Barrette added, "Exotics are still a large piece of the market and will always be because they are an amazing alternative to the run of the mill oaks that U.S. customers have lived with for decades. Also, with constant innovation, new exotic species are continuously being brought to the flooring market.bCrLf

And the future and staying power of exotic woods? Cikel's Celtrick said, "Imported species will always have a place in the market. There is no domestic specie that looks, performs, or is as hard as cumaru, ipe, Brazilian Cherry or any other popular South American specie. As construction picks up and buyers become more educated and laws clearer as to what legally taken' means, exotics will have healthy growth again.bCrLf

Strong said that IndusParquet is already seeing a return to exotics. "Our dealers are feeling confident again,bCrLf he said.

Leigh at Triangulo concluded, "We have seen both the peak and valley as it pertains to the market for Brazilian exotics. Over the last two years, we are excited to be able to report a year over year increase in both square footage and margin dollars. Exotics will continue to grow as a segment within the wood category.bCrLf